Have you ever thought about your death? I know a grim topic already huh? Well the reason I bring this up isn’t because I had some bad pork that has come back to get me through weird psychedelic visions. I bring this topic up because I got to thinking about what happens after I die. I don’t mean that as a heaven or hell scenario I mean it more as in what happens here on earth after I die. What will people say about me and more importantly to me what will people take from my life. In other words what is my legacy?
See, I believe Christians have a short sided problem when it comes to legacy. We only think about what we do presently but don’t think about how it will affect those after us. Our legacy should be important if to no one else to us. I was watching “Why We Laugh?” which is a documentary on black comedy and how it not only shaped black comedy or black America but America itself. It outlined how people like Richard Pryor and Dick Gregory were pioneers of political proportions. They took on topics in a comedic way that no one before them had done. They talked about politics in a way that hadn’t been done before by anyone of any race. Eddie Murphy and how not only did he shape black comedy by his monetary numbers but changed the roles available to black actors and actresses with one simple line in 48 hours. “There’s a new sheriff in town”!
These things got me to thinking. What is my legacy when I leave this earth, what change or impact will I have made if any? This is a message that isn’t taught often enough (I don’t think ) in churches. Which if you think about it is the message of Christ. I was told once if my life was the only bible people would ever read is there enough contained in its pages to cause people to want to give their life to Christ? Your legacy (contained in your name) is passed down directly to your children. Jesus for much of his ministry was known as the carpenter’s son. That was his natural father Joseph’s legacy which actually paved a way for Jesus to do a lot of what He did. Joseph was so good at his job that his name as a carpenter was spread all throughout the land and when Jesus came on the scene it gave him access to places he may not have had access to. Your name is given to your children. Do you want them to be called the son of a pimp, the daughter of a whore, child of that good for nothing? Or would you prefer them to be identified with positives such that because of the name you have people receive them and watch out for them simply because of who you were. As a Christian, as a Pastor, as whatever your legacy also affects those you come in contact with. You know you’ve heard don’t go to so and so’s church there is nothing but hypocrites there. They say that because of you, you are the hypocrite they know. That is the legacy you are leaving behind as a Christian.
What do the pages of your life say about you? How will they help or hurt someone? Will the pages of your life teach people more of what not to do than what to do? The messed up part about a legacy is, it’s lasting and doesn’t really change. It doesn’t change because it’s not a legacy until after you are dead. Once you’re dead there is nothing you can do about it. Hopefully, this will cause you to think more about what you do and who you turn your back on and who you help? Hopefully, you’ll think about how those who are left behind who are connected to you are affected because your legacy not only affects others it molds others. People will pattern themselves after the legacy you leave behind. What is it that is your legacy? If you haven’t thought about that, it’s time to.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me at jesse.jones@highpraiseministries.com. As always, Grow in God’s Grace and Abide in His Love!
